Dame Vera also opened up about the digital transformation of the music business. In 1975, she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2016, she was awarded a Companion of Honour (CH) for her eight decades of service to entertainment and charity. She was the “voice of hope” during World War II.
On turning 101 years old, Dame Vera remarked, “It is a little strange as I still feel young at heart. The actual birthday was lovely, though. I spent the day with my close family and friends – birthdays are always a special time for us.”
Her legacy album Vera Lynn 100 , which was released last year in honor of her 100th birthday, was a commercial success reaching No. 3 on the U.K. charts. With this feature, Dame Vera accomplished a unique milestone, where she became the first centenarian to have an album chart on the Billboard charts. “It is wonderful to know people still enjoy my music all these years later. It is important that we don’t forget about the past, and music is a particularly important way to hold on to those special memories,” she said.
Digital transformation of the music industry
Regarding the impact of technology on the music and entertainment industry, Dame Vera said, “I don’t know a great deal about technology, but I do know there have been many innovations in the past few decades. In particular, I was very impressed with my newest album, where the producers blended my vocals from a long time ago with today’s artists, like Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong. It really sounded like I was in the same room as them while performing a duet.”
Lately, in the contemporary music scene, there is a resurgence of vinyl, and Dame Vera noted her love for vinyl. “For the vast majority of my life, I listened to music on vinyl, and it is wonderful that younger people today are embracing the past. There is something extra special about it, a particular richness to the quality,” she said.
For aspiring singers and entertainers, Dame Vera offered the following advice: “My answer is always the same. Stay true to yourself and keep on going. It is easy to give up or give in but if you are successful, you will want to be able to look back on your life and career without regrets, and be proud of the decisions you have made.”
In 2002, Dame Vera founded the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which is based in West Sussex in the United Kingdom, and it helps children with cerebral palsy; moreover, her charity provides education and support for families that are affected by cerebral palsy.
For her loyal and dedicated fans, Dame Vera expressed her sincere appreciation for their support, which exceeds eight decades. “I would like to thank the fans for their ongoing support over the years. I truly appreciate their kindness, and I treasure all their wonderful messages and gifts,” she said.
To learn more about Dame Vera Lynn’s Children Charity, check out their official homepage, and check out their Facebook page.
